Window operator



Jan. 29, 1935. E, H. ELLISON 1,989,550

WINDOW OPERATOR Filed Aug. 17, 1955 @is www3 mounted on one of the walls of the pilaster channel member 15. Adjacent one end of the channel member 21, and produced in the side walls 28 thereof, are slots 29. A gear housing 3l is mounted in the channel member 2l by projecting shoulder portions 33 into slots 29. Top and bottom flanges 34 secure the housing to the base wall 22 of the channel member 21 vin any convenient manner as by screws 35. The portions 33 are connected by top and bottom walls 37 and 38. Concentrically drilled and threaded open-` ings 39 are formed in each of the shoulder portions 33. The upper wall 37 is arranged'with upwardly and downwardly projecting bosses 4l through which an opening 42 is made.. A shaft 44, located in the channel member 2l, projects through the opening 42 and a .bevel gear 45 is affixed thereto by means of a pin 46. Since the device is to be operated with shaft 44 in a vertical position, a collar 48 surrounds the shaft adjacent'theupper boss41, being secured to said shaft in any suitable manner as byal pin 49. y

Adjacent the upper end of housing 21 there is provided a reinforcing block 51 which i's tted between and secured'to the side walls 28 of the channel member 21 for the purpose of preventing 'any-flexingjoffthese walls during operation of the mechanism. In the space between the block51.and the rear` wall `22 of the channel membery there is located `'a pinion gear 52, which is mounted on a shaft 53 that projects through the rear wall 22 and serves as a part of the pivotal support for the window 12 as well as constituting the means by which said window lis re,- ciprocated. In mesh with the gear 52 is a rack 54 which is located adjacentv the innerface of one" of the side walls 28 of thechannel member 21. Aihxed to the lower end of this rack -is a blockv 56 having an opening. 57 therethrough. The rod 44, commencing a short distance below theblock156, is formed with.v threads 58 which yen'-v gage corresponding threads 59 in the block 56. The threads 58 continue tothe endof the shaft 44 Which'is terminated'by a reducedv portion 61. Mountedv on the portion 61v is 'an extension 62 which is acontinuation of shaft 44, the lower end of this extension being recessed to 'receive the' portion 61. Shaft 44-and extension 62 are secured 'against relative Jmovement by means of a pin 63; Against the opposite side `wallV 28, from therack 54, is a further rack 64, they teeth of which also engage the teeth of gear 52. This rack continues downwardly beneath the gear a short distance and has aixed thereto a block 66. This block is formed with a threaded opening 67.and

adapted to receive the threaded end portion 68 of the extension 62. As'isclearly indicated in Figure 3 of the drawing, the racks 54 and 64 move in` opposite directions and are adapted to rotate the .pinion gear 52 which in turnv rotates shaft 53 and window 12.. It is pointed out that the direction of threads 58 on-shaft 44 are reverse to the threads 68 of the extension 62 and that, when theshaft 44 is rotated in one direction, blocksl 56 and 66 move toward each other from the position shown in Figure 2 to that shownin Figure 3. It will be further noted, since the sidewalls 28 of the channel member 21 are prevented distortion by the block 51 and racks 54 and 64 as well as gear 52 are made to fit snugly within' the space between the side walls 28,-a considerable force may be exerted in the rotation of shaft 44 to reciprocate the racks, rotate shaft 53 and overcome any resistance of the window to movement. Forming the shaft 44 with an extension 62 makes it possible to form the threaded portions independently and locate the blocks 56 and 66 in their proper position during the work of assembling the partition and installation of the window in order that said window be made to rotate through its full limit of travel.

Reference is now particularly had to Figure 6 ofv the. drawing wherein is shown. an enlarged horizontal sectional View of the connection between an operating lever 70 and the gear 45 located on shaft 44. As brought out above, the housing 3l is formed with shoulder portions 33, in which threaded openings 39 are made. Either of these openings, depending on the face from which the operating lever is to be located, is adapted to receive an externally threaded sleeve 71. This sleeve is provided with a central openf ing y'72 which connects with a larger opening 73. Av shaft 75 is projected into the opening '72 to the point where a collar or shoulder 76 thereon abuts the end of the sleeve. The exposedend of the shaft is preferably four-sided to receive land secure a suitable gear thereto as hereinafter more fully described.l vThat portion 78 of the shaft lyingwithin the'opening 73 is of a slightly reduced diameter and has keyed thereto a beveled gear '79 which corresponds to and is in mesh with the beveled gear 45. The gear 79, to the rearof the teeth, is of such size as to fit in the opening 73 of the sleeve 7l. Inasmuch as the portiony 78 of the shaft extends beyond the gear, a securing collar 80 is provided to prevent dis-V engagement of these elements, this collar being held in .place by a pin 8l.

= Since the external threads of the sleeve'll eX- tend its full length, it is found convenient to mount the operating lever housing 83 on said sleeve by projecting the sleeve into a threaded portion 84 of the housing The housingisarranged with' a cavity 86-which opens intoV a smallercavity 87. A gear 89 is mounted on the square end 'of the shaft 75 and lies within the cavity 86. That portion of the shaft projecting beyond thegear lies in cavity 87. 4At the other end of the housing there is located a further cavity 90, similar in all respects to the cavity 86. This cavity in turn connects with an opening 91 in which a shaft 92 is journaled. On the end of the shaft 92, projecting into the cavity 90, is`

mounted a" gear 94.41A reduced portion 95 of the shaft 92 -extends'beyond the front face of the housing and flts into 'an opening 96 in the operat` ing` lever '70. This shaft and lever may be secured against relative rotation, in any suitable manner as vby a pin or set screw 97. Centrally of the housing and between cavities 86 and 90 is an opening in which an idler gear 99 is located. This gear is mounted on a sleeve 101 which is of sufficient length to lproject into an opening 102 in the housing. An opening 103 in the sleeve is adapted to receive a screw 104 which is projected into the sleeve fromthe face of the housing being engageable with the face plate 16 or any other adjacent portion of the partition and, when thus located, prevent'srotation of the housing 83 about the sleeve rIl when the operating lever is manipulated. The rear portion of the housing adjacent gears 94 and 99 is closed by a plate 105V which is secured to the housing in any oonvenient manner, being for the purpose of vmain-l taining a suitable lubricant in the gear cavities' and preventing dirt from entering this mecha-' nism.

' vWhile gears 89 and 94 are shown to'be identical and the drive, throughtheoperating 1ever.70','to be directly transmitted to theshaft75 and beveled gear 79, it is contemplated toalter the relative gear sizes toaccommodate'the driving mechanism to all classes of pivotingorswinging windows. For example, a rugged mechanism of this type, when used to operate a small window, could be geared up to increase the window speed relative to the speed .of rotation of the operating lever 70, whereas in the case of a large and heavy window, the speed vofthewindow could be reduced relative to that of the operating lever.

The modification shown in Figure 7 of the drawing is applicable when the wall or partition in which the operating mechanism is located is suiiciently removed from a swinging vmember such as the door 11 to permit directly driving the beveled gears 79 and 45 by means of an operating leverr 107..ai1d.thus eliminating the offset mechanism above described. The beveled gear 79 is keyed on shaft 108, being located against a shoulder 109 on said shaft and secured against displacement by a sleeveand pin structure 110. Beyond the shoulders 109, the shaft is enlarged to form a bearing surface which lies within the reduced portion-112 of a sleeve 113. The larger cavity of the sleeve 113 provides bearing support for the gear 79. A portion of the outer wall of the sleeve 113 is threaded for the purpose of engaging and supporting the sleeve in the gear housing 31 through the opening 39. This method of support is identical to that of the sleeve 71 heretofore described. Beyond the outer face of the sleeve the shaft 108 is formed with an enlarged threaded portion 114 which has flat insets 115. The operating lever 107 having a threaded cavity is mounted on the threaded portion 114, being turned down to the point where the inner face thereof lies adjacent the face plate 16 or other adjacent portion of a partition. A set screw 117 is turned down to engage the inset 115 and prevent relative rotation of lever 107 and shaft 108. In this modification as well as in that shown in detail in Figure 6, it is tobe noted that the gear housing 31 supports the entire mechanism and that no dependence is placed on the face plate 16 of a partition pilaster for support. This arrangement of parts not only makes for more rugged assembly but eliminates the necessity for the provision of special escutcheon plates or other trim to frame the shaft opening through the partition or pilaster. In this modification the gear housing 31 is shown to have opposed threaded openings 39, thus permitting installation of the operating lever 107 from either face of a partition or building wall.

Referring again to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing it will be noted that as the shaft 78 is rotated to rotate gear 79, gear 45 is made to rotate and in consequence shaft 44 and extension 62. Assuming the window 12 is to be moved from the position shown in Figure 2 to that shown in Figure 3, shaft 44 will be rotated in a clockwise direction. Such rotation causes block 56 to travel upwardly along shaft 44 and block 66 to travel downwardly of the extension 62. This movement of the blocks moves racks 54 and 64 in opposite directions and rotates gear 52 in a counterclockwise direction. Should the window 12 become unintentionally sealed in closed position or slightly jambed and resist manipulation, it is possible to exert a considerable force through the operating lever to free said window. 'Ihis is possible since the two forces applied to gear 52 are uniform and opposite and consequently gear 52 cannot be disengaged from either vrack nor the racks war-pedaway from the gearbyzreason of-theconned space in whichthis portion ofthe mechanism operates` It willbe noted that the `mechanism may be appliedto the manipulationk of-.windowsaon ventilators other than as shown in the present drawing and in' such instances` itrmaybe. required thatrotation be possible through 180' degreesinstead of approxi# mately 90 degrees, also-,that thespeectofsuch operationbechanged.` The extent of,A rotation is governed entirely by the length of therracks 54 and 64 and the rapidityof A rotation 4per ,revolution of the operating lever by the gear mechanism in thehousinga and alsoby the *size of the gear 52. The presentinveritonis-thereforeconsidered to be' adaptable foruse with all types of swinging windows, ventilators, etc., regardless of the Size, Weight, orreduired rapidityl of; movement.-

, @Althoughapplicant has Shown and described only one modification of that portion of the invention which is mounted and concealed within a building wall or partition and two modifications of a further portion of the mechanism applied tothe face of the building wall or partition, it is intended,v since the invention is susceptible of adaption to many uses, that other additions and alterations in arrangement and design are contemplatedin-so-far as these changes or alterations lie within the scope of the hereunto annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention what I claim as new and for which I desire protection' by Letters Patent is:-

1. A device for operating awindow comprising a channel member, a window connected shaft on said member, a gear on said shaft, a pair of reversely disposed racks engaged with said gear, the walls of said member serving as guides for said racks, a rod extending longitudinally of said member, operable means connecting said racks with said rod, said gear, rod and operablefmeans being contained within the limits of said channel member whereby to install said mechanism as a unit in a building wall or partition.

2. A device for operating a window installable as a unit into a building wall or partition comprising a channel member, a window connected shaft mounted on said member, a gear on said shaft, a pair of reversely disposed racks engaged with said gear, the walls of said member serving as guides for said racks, and means connecting said double rack with an operating lever, said lever serving to rotate said window shaft.

3. A device for operating a window comprising a shaft joined to and supporting said window, a gear secured to said shaft, opposed racks in mesh with said gear, a rod including reversely threaded portions, blocks on` said threaded portions connected with said racks, and a lever for rotating said rod whereby to move said racks and said gear to actuate said window.

4. A device for operating a window comprising a shaft joined to and supporting said window, a gear secured to said shaft, a channel member supporting said shaft and said gear, opposed racks in mesh with said gear, said racks and said gear completely filling the space between the side walls of said member, means adjacent said gear for securing the side walls of said member against distortion during operation of said mechanism, a rod having reversely threaded portions, blocks on said threaded portions connected with said racks, an operating lever, cooperating beveled gears connecting said rod with said lever whereby to transmit rotation from said lever to said Window.

5. `A device foroperating `a Window comprising a shaft joined vto and supportingysaid window, a gear secured to said shaft, a channel member supporting said shaft and said gear, opposed racks `in mesh with said gear, said racks and said gear com# pletely lling the space between the side Walls of said member, means adjacent said gear for secur` ing theside Wallsvof said member against distortion during operation of said mechanism, a rod having reversely threaded portions, blocks on said threaded portions connected with said racks, 'an operating lever, a pluralityv of gears connecting said lever with said rod, said gears being interchangeable and replaceable to vary the ratio of rotation of said operating lever and said rod whereby to change-the speedof operation of said window. y i

6. A device for operating a window comprising ashaft joined to said Window,` a gear secured to said shaft,'a pair .ofopposed racks in meshwith said gear, a rod, means connecting said rod with said racks, said means being adjustable to set said racks for equal opposite movement, and an operator connected with and adapted to rotate said rod.

"7. A device for operating a Window comprising a channel member, a shaft joined to said Window and journaled in said channel member, a gear secured to said shaft, a pair of racks mounted against opposite sides of `said channel member and engaged with said gear, a rod, means operably connecting said rod With said racks, said means serving to produce opposite directional movement of said racks and being adjustable to set said racks for equal movement, and an operator connected with and adapted to rotate said rod.

' EDWARD H. ELLIsoN.l 

